Located in the heart of [Phoenix City] a gothic style manor stood in sharp contrast to the relatively modern city around it, its gloomy exterior and dreadful aura brought all who stopped to stare too long a sense of dread. However on this day such a menacing place was alive with festivities and the sound of servants rushing through the courtyard in frantic attempt to finish all the last minute changes in decor that there mistress demanded from them.
"Hurry it up! I swear by my goddess if one thing is out of place I will skin each of you alive!"
A loud roar echoed in the garden of resting behind the manor causing all those working to flinch in fear.
"Mother, please calm down! So what if everything is not perfect? Just the attempt is more than enough..." A sweet voice called after the screaming voice as she stepped into the garden.
My sweet Lijun how can that be? Today is your coming of age ceremony! The day my precious daughter will finally awaken as a cultivator! How can it not be perfect!" The loud voice of Madam Si called once more as she glared the sweating servants down.
"Yes, but how can they work with you glaring over them?" Si Lijun tried to reason as she glanced over the workers who sighed in relief seeing her face.
Surely with the young miss here they would be able to save their skins no? They couldn't help, however one quick glare from the madam quickly sent all hope they had for seeing their families tonight running in the wind.
"Fine..." Madam Si practically growled as she at down in a nearby lounger
By the way mother... Isn't that boy from the Fu family coming? Cant we not invite them? I hate the way he looks at me..."
Madam Si's expression couldn't help but soften when she heard her daughters plea but there was little she could do about the matter.
"My love you know that i am as helpless as you when it comes to this. It was your fathers decision to invite them this time... Besides you still have not chosen any one amongst your many suitors... Your father cant help but worry about you."
With a tired sigh Si Lijun nodded and prepared to head back inside already hopping for this day to end as quickly as possible. Something about that Fu family just seemed off to her and she would rather have nothing to do with them if she could help it.
-----------------------------------------------------------
As the time for the ceremony drew ever closer guests of the event had begun to arrive all eager to catch even a glimpse of the peerlessly beautiful young miss of the Si family. If by chance someone in there family could finally catch that girls eye not just them but even their future generations would be set for life!
Standing at the front gate Madam Si welcomed all the guest with a cold, indifferent expression.
Not minding the Madams expression many of the guest came forward to offer there congratulations showering the family with flowery words, to which the only received a short glare from Madam Si causing them to quickly flee inside before the site could become a blood bath.
Madam Si was known throughout the entire city to have the shortest temper in the whole family and was also the one who was the most bloodthirsty.
Strangely enough however her daughter Si Lijun was known to be the complete opposite of her mother, always calm and hardly ever resorting to violence unless provoked too far.
"Mother-In-Law!" A voice suddenly called immediately drawing the attention of the powder keg known as Madam Si.
"Who dares?!" She hissed her voice laced with barely concealed venom. It was known to all how protective she was of her only child, so someone blatantly calling out to her in this manner as if her precious child was already there's almost made her see red.
But thankfully the approaching group quickly seemed to notice this and immediately moved tk rectify the situation.
"Huijin! How many times must I tell you? Just because you are interested in that girl doesn't mean she is already yours! Calm yourself!" Being scolded by his father Fu Huijin couldn't help but turn red but quick on the recovery he approached the raging Madam Si and offered a quick bow in apology.
"Please forgive me.. I'm just excited to see sister Lijun..." Hearing said sincerely but his this sincerity clearly did not reach the boys eyes.
"This once... Only this once do not let it happen it again.." She practically growled before turning away to head inside.
It seemed the Fu family was rather late as there were the last to arrive at the estate. Quickly following her inside, the family of four (Miss Fu, Master Fu, Fu Huijin, and his sister) made there way to the center of the festivities.
Inside the Si family manor everything was going as planned with the guest occupying the large dinning hall.
Seated next to her father, a grizzly figure with stong broad shoulders sharp eyes and well kept beard, at the head of the table was a young lady looking to be no older then sixteen years of age.
Her silky black hair hung loosely around her shoulders, and her enchanting ruby red eyes carried a touch of childish innocence as she glanced around the room taking in all the faces, some new and some familiar.
"Lijun Darling are you alright dear?" The worried voice of her mother quickly caught her attention as she turned to face the sound of the voice quickly catching the arrival of her mother along with a few other faces she would rather not see.
"Yes Mother... With father here what could happen?" She asked with a light tilt of her head. Though her voice lacked any notable emotion along with her blank expression made her beautiful face seem doll like, the love in her eyes was clear to see as she watched Madam Si approaching.
However just as she was to speak again the annoying knat that had been following her around spoke up as soon as the opportunity arose.
"Sister Lijun! It is great to see you!" Fu Huijin spoke with a toothy smile.
Though she was not prone to violence and usally was rather passive in most things, this boy irked her in a way she could not explain... not to mention the rest of the family which seemed eye her and her mother as if they owed them something.
"Young Master Fu... It's good tk see you and your family well.." She spoke slowly her flat emotionless tone causing a subtle frown tk appear on Master Fus face.
However as if not bothered by her blank attitude Fu Huijin continued on his long quest to woo the woman before him.
"With Grandfather still alive what could happen to our family? But I am glad to hear your concern.. Ahh speaking of my grandfather our family heard you were looking for a beast companion to start your cultivation journey with. I asked him to prepare a rather special gift for you.. But that can come later when the gift giving part of the ceremony begins." He said giving a rather winded speech, while having to make up the origins of the gift on the spot. He could not, after all, tell her that the beast egg he prepared was some random spider egg his father had found and forced him to bring over.
'Ahh does he ever tire of hearing his own voice...' Was all the young girl could think as she listened to the boys never ending words.
"I see, well I cant to see what Ancestor Fu has prepared then" Her voice as cold and monotone as ever seemed to fill the boys mind with butterflies as his smile grew even wider.
"Alright well we have given our greetings it would be rude to take up more of your time" Offering a short bow to Madam Si Fu Huijin and his family quickly left joining the others in the fun of drinking and eating there fill.
"*Sigh* I don't know what's wrong with that boys head.. " Madam Si said while taking a seat next to her husband l who only glanced at her before speaking to his daughter.
"I know you don't care for that boy, but you should at least show some interest Lijun.. You have rejected the advances of ever other suitor suitable to you and our family only he is left still willing to chance after you."
Without a change in expression the young girl nodded before responding.
"Mn.. I have heard your words father"
Knowing his daughter well enough to know her true thoughts on the matter he couldn't help but sigh and add to his words his tone softening considerably.
"My daughter it is not that I am trying to force you... I just want to leave you with a way out. Cultivation is not a road many can travel. I'm not saying that I hope your awakening goes wrong it's just as your father I want to prepare you incase of the worst case scenario."
"Lijun, Understands father.."